Check out energy savings at local libraries

Since 2009, Empire Electric has helped its customers understand and potentially reduce their electricity usage with the use of Kill A Watt electricity usage monitors, available on loan through five area libraries.

These plug-in energy monitors are leaving the shelves at public libraries to help assess how efficient appliances really are. The monitor comes with basic instructions and some helpful hints from library personnel. It displays the power consumption in kilowatt-hours which is how EEA reports energy usage on customers' monthly bills and can assist in household budgeting.

With the increasing cost of electricity EEA wants to help customers save energy and dollars. This program provides a 'no cost' way to reduce energy usage and identify the real energy abusers. Customers' are reporting that they unplug appliances when not in use to save energy.

"Monitor accessibility increased through the library program," said Doug Sparks, member services manager. "Now folks can easily calculate how much it will cost to use an appliance over a month's time."

Participating libraries are located in Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, and Monticello, Utah. These libraries have a limited number of Kill A Watt monitors available for loan, similar to checking out a book or video.

Bobbe Jones is the Assistant Member Services Manager with Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez. Empire Electric Association is working with the community to save energy and money.

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